In her quest to compliment the Flagbearer of the main opposition party in Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, former Preesident of the Republic, as his running mate, Professor Jane Naana Agyeman has categorically stated that, the next Mahama led-government would implement what she termed: youth centered policies aimed to provide numerous opportunities to the teeming youth across the country.
The former Education Minister in the elsewhile Mahama-led government Professor Jane Naana Agyeman made these disclosure at this year’s commemoration of the International Youth Day 2020 under the theme: “Youth Engagement in Global Action” on August 12, 2020.
According to her, youth participation in decision-making, policy drafting and implementation at the grassroot level to national and international level, hence ignited the youth to commit to a future of inclusivity, progress and real opportunity for the young people of Ghana.
“I thank the youth wing of the NDC for putting together this important platform that offers us the opportunity to interact as we together commit to a future of inclusivity, progress and real opportunity for the young people of our dear nation”, she said.
The commemoration offers the youth the strong resolve to create a new narrative for the Ghanaian youth; a narrative of hope and not despair as well one that will lift each other up and not giving up, a narrative of dogged determination to build the Ghana well desired, stressing “a Ghana we desire and not abandoning the Ghana project in search of illusionary greener pastures.
Believing that “Together we shall build for ourselves that Ghana we dream of”
Speaking on the theme of the day, she indicated that, as the global community reflects on the costs and consequences of the challenges posed by covid-19, global communities found themselves exploring the implications of understanding that the old institutions and the old ways are unable to adequately prepare for the risks and opportunities of the 21st century.
Further a knowledging that, the theme reminds global communities of the many ways in which the engagement of young people at the local, national and global levels would make, local, national and multilateral institutions and processes stronger and better.
“And it is a call to encourage more young people not to be distracted or discouraged by cynicism, but rather to get involved and stay engaged”, she stressed.
With Africa’s youth bulge, Professor Jane Naana Agyeman emphasized that, it would be a blessing if youth engagements are harnessed by the right visionary leadership, hence in total agreement with the African Youth Charter that Africa’s youth is a biggest human resource untapped.
The learned Professor maintained that her selection as a running mate reflected a leader’s strategic thinking of addressing the critical issues of the time and immediate priorities of the national agenda and the vision of the society for the distribution of power within it and for the culture of the country’s politics.
Therefore choosing a woman as a running mate was neither for convenience nor convention but for a matter of strong conviction and courage.
Explaining that, conviction in the core values of social democracy in expanding justice, extending opportunity and ingaining exclusiveness in the country and the courage to pursue those things.
“That is John Mahama’s vision for progress and that is the vision I have joined this ticket to help him realize,not for his ego or mine, not for the interests of our families or friends, but for you_ the young people of this nation who are our hope for a better Ghana”, she further observed.
This year’s celebration Professor Naana Jane Opuku-Agyemang acknowledged that, it marks exactly a decade when the then Vice President, H.E. John Mahama launched the National Youth Policy to provide a comprehensive framework to guide stakeholders on how to work together to implement what she termed a raft of programmes for youth development with key achievement including increased budgetary allocation to the National Youth Authority for implementation of youth policy.
Amongst some of the major youth policy proposals which would be youth related includes the opening up of space for more youth to access legal and medical education, Agenda 1 million jobs, the US$10 billion big push to address Ghana’s infrastructural deficit and create more jobs as well as tablet for all second cycle students and tertiary students, free Wi_Fi for all tertiary institutions and extend overtime to all Senior High schools.
Others are: University campuses for all 6 newly created regions, abolishment of the double track system under the Free Senior High School (SHS) system , scrabing of the licensure examination as well the national Service for graduate teachers, making Technical, Vocational Edication Training (TVET) education free at all levels.
Inaddition, ensure free primary health care for all, pay in full all customers of the collapsed financial institutions whose monies are locked up and restore indigenous Ghanaian participation in the financial sector and institute a national apprenticeship programme in line with the vision of rapid industrialisation and job creation.
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com/ Ishmael Barfi
